>>>>>>>Hey, Mike,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I'm not a fan of Bush....but under his Administration, American soil has remained unattacked after 9/11. We will never know what would have occured.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>But, aside from Clinton, US soil had not been attacked TILL his administration!
>>>>>
>>>>>Pearl Harbor. Did the sterling democrat FDR get any criticism for that?
>>>>
>>>>Actually, he did. As did the General Staff of the Army and Navy, especially the Intelligence sections. In fact, the Admiral in command of the base at Pearl got 'fired'. Really, before you go slinging glasses in your rock house, do some reading first.
>>>
>>>Actually, it was a question.
>>
>>"Did FDR get an criticism for that?" is a question.
>>
>>"Did the sterling democrat FDR get any criticism for that?" is a rhetorical question where the answer is that he didn't, because he was such a "sterling democrat"
>>
>I tend to agree with you: that question was largely rhetorical. If you don't mind, I would propose another line of reasoning for this case. It could be assumed that Al Qaeda planned more strikes against US targets, i.e. they were not going to stop after 9/11. Would you agree with this assumption? If yes, then President really deserves credit for preventing more attacks. What is your opinion?

My opinion is that the Bush administration has been a disaster, but one from which this country will recover as it has recovered in the past from previous disasterous administartions. I do not think that history will treat him kindly. I do not think there are many achievments that will grant him decent future status (the way Nixon's China policy helped ameliorate the Watergate, Vietnam portions of his administration).

I think there were many admirable efforts by his administration. Some were ruined by poor implementation. Some were ruined by partisan opposition. Some were ruined by circumstances.

"No child left behind." I give his substantial credit for trying but there has been little, if any, success

"Faith based initiatives." Despite my profound concerns about government and religion (especially THIS government) I supported this concept. I think it had real possibilities. It's failure wasn't due to the Administration but to opposition from elements who feel that ANY government/religion co-operation is anathma. I think the opposition's concerns were valid, but wish they had been willing to give it a try.

"Iraq reconstruction." I feel that the future will show massive corruption on levels not seen in the past. I don't think he personally is involved in any of that (the only thing I admire about Bush is his honesty), but his will be the responsibility.

"Keeping us safe." Your original question. I'm going to bail on that question for the moment. You will get an answer, but I'm out of time for now.